***

No.

I am not that girl.

I'm not that girl that lies down and overthinks until she's drowning in a sea of doubts. I never was and I don't intend to start doing it now.

I dropped my dead weight back onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.

It's settled then, there is absolutely no way the unknown number that's texting me is Leon. It's absurd. I mean it wouldn't be the first time an ex of mine tried to get in touch with me but that just doesn't sound like something Leon would do.

And even if it were, what's the worst thing he could do, cry himself to death and make me watch?

Me: Who are you?

Whatever happened to non-impulsive Jade?

Unknown: Texting me first, that's new.

Me: Answer my question.

Unknown: Didn't my clues do it for you?

Literally 80% of the population has brown eyes and brown hair.

Me: You call those clues?

Unknown: I bet it sucks to be you right now.

I'm done with this guy.

Me: This whole thing is ridiculous.

No more texts.

Ugh, really?

Liz's head popped in from the door. "C'mon Jade, we're off to campus."

Sighing, I got up, trying to ignore the anxious feeling that hovered over my thoughts. I had a hunch that this was about to be a long day.

***

Morning classes went by slower than anticipated. I guess time appears to be passing slower when your mind is going a million miles per hour, which is ironic if you think about it. Anyway, lunch finally rolled around and I was sitting down opposite Jesse at a table in the cafeteria.

It seemed like we both had a lot on our minds, it had been quiet so far.

I looked up from my food and brushed the hair away from my face. "How's your mom?"

Jesse nodded down at his food. "Good, she's good."

I studied his sullen expression as he found the right words.

"It's just been hard on her." He finally met my stare.

"And you?" I said. "How are you holding up?"

Jess raised his eyebrows. "Me?"

"Yeah... you're going through the same thing, aren't you?"

"I'm fine, just trying to get used to the idea." He looked up to think. "I hadn't really thought about it yet, I've been too busy trying to calm her down, I guess."

I leaned in slightly over the table. "I know it doesn't come easy, but you should try being a little more selfish every once in a while," I whispered.

Jesse gave me a half smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Shortly after that a grin took over his expression. "I thought you told me not to call you if I needed to talk."

Retaliating back, I threw a fry at his face and smothered a laugh. "Shut up, Jessica."

Jesse laughed it off and ate the fry that had rebounded off onto the tray. "I'm just saying."

I only noticed we might've been staring at each other for a little too long when a voice cut in from beside him.

"Hey, you."

I'd forgotten about Millie's existence, life was good for a second there. Too bad it had to be cut short.

Jesse's attention was now on her as she went on about a place down the street she thought he'd love and I couldn't help the frustration that was emerging from inside of me. I didn't know how but I was sure of one thing.

It would be a cold day in hell before I let Millie go through with her schemes.

If she wanted to play Jesse she was going to have to go up against me. And I think we all know how that ends. Little hint - it's not looking too good for her.

But first I had to get this stupid, unknown moron thing sorted out before I could focus on that. I hate to admit it but it had been having me on my toes lately and that was starting to annoy me way more than it should.

"Hello, hello." Liz patted my shoulder and sat down to my right, sliding her food tray onto the table.

"Hi," I said, still deep in thought.

"So, I got my art back."

"Mhm."

"She told me why she did it," she said before tearing a ketchup bag open.

I slowly moved my head up and glanced at Liz, signalling her to go on.

"She got into Brown with a half-paid scholarship, apparently she struggles financially." Liz went on to pour the ketchup onto her fries.

Yes, she was that kind of person. I personally always went for dipping them instead of sprinkling them all with - you know what? Never mind.

My face remained stolid. "So?"

"So there's a full-paid scholarship at stake, offered only to the best student - as we suspected, I was the competition. Plus, she knew about my situation. My parents could easily pay this for me, and Vic got angry. She thought it was unfair," Liz explained.

"Yeah, I still don't think that justifies what she did." I fiddled around with the leftovers in my plate. "She could've tried talking to you."

"Yeah, I know," she said. "I guess she panicked."

I dropped my fork down and narrowed my eyes at Liz. "Also, Vic?" I questioned with a suggestive look. "Since when do you call her that?"

"Shut up," she said. "Victoria is a long ass name."

I raised my eyebrows, making Liz roll her eyes and shove my shoulder.

My smirk died and was replaced by true concern. "You sure you got this?"

Liz furrowed her brow and just stared at me intensely.

"What?" I asked.

"What have you done with my best friend?"

I shook my head in amusement. "You're an idiot."

"I'm sure." Liz chuckled. "Don't worry about me. Plus, you showing emotions makes me uncomfortable," she said with an exaggerated cringe.

I rolled my eyes at her goofiness, then went back into my thoughts.

So... I thought as I set my gaze upon the pair in front of me, what to do with this issue... That seems to be the question.

***

I walked down the hallway after my Econ class, mentally hitting myself for checking my text messages so frequently. How was I letting a random dude get to me like this? That's nothing like me.

Maybe the fact that it could be Leon bugs you...

Ugh, I thought I had established that there was no way it was him. I mean he must've moved on and grown out of it by now.

Right?

"I'm not one to brag but I'm pretty sure you're struggling to keep up with the game."

This was literally the last thing I needed right now.

I turned around and gave Millie a dismissive blink, similar to those one directs to a pesky insect.

If there was a time where Millie could actually get to me, this was it, so I had to go the extra mile not to step out of line.

Her smirk fell from her face. "If I were you I'd take what I'm about to tell you a little more seriously," she spat.

Watch me quiver.

"Jesse is so over with you," she fired. "You might as well quit trying all the same."

Millie is right, I'm doomed. She is just too tough an opponent.

My mouth contorted into a fictitious smile. "You picked the wrong day to try to get under my skin, Mills'."

"You could never give him what he needs." Millie rested a hand on her hips. "You wouldn't know empathy if it was hanging down right in front of you."

"Oh, no," I said monotonously. "How could you?" I faked a sigh. "My soul is crippled."

She rolled her eyes scathingly. "Whatever."

Millie's stare darkened as she marched up near my face. "At least now we're even," she murmured.

As she was leaving she twirled to face me again, and this time it looked as if there were a smirk hidden behind that cloud of smugness and indifference. "Actually, I might even have the upper hand."

A sudden frown unintentionally warped my features.

"Oh, you know-" she scorned, "- since Jesse knows all about you being the Black Widow."

Wait, what?

Millie spun around and strutted away with a beam of arrogance in her step.

How the hell would she know ab-

An image of Millie bashing into me at the lake party flashed before me in my mind. The pieces started falling together one by one.

That bitch.

She was the girl Jesse was talking to at that party before I turned up, then she happened to throw a beer all over my shirt and shortly after someone randomly spills the beans on the whole Black Widow thing...

There was absolutely no way all that had been a coincidence.

She started playing the game way before I even considered her to be a threat, the girl had the audacity to ruin my shirt and tip a chick to blurt something out that would inevitably stunt my plan. And she got away with it.

Oh, Millie...

You just messed with the wrong player.

Huh, that's weird, I just got hit by deja' vu.

All my enemies keep doing their homework to some questionable standards. There's no way they actually know what I'm really capable of or else they would've already made a break for it, both Tessa and Millie.

Although, I do love proving people wrong.

Well... I guess it's time to pull out the big guns - enjoy the fruits of your effort, Millie.

A cruel smirk made its way up to my lips.

Before they rot.

***

A/N

Oh shiiiiiiiitttttttt!! GAME ON MILLIE, LOL.

If you liked the character appearances in my author's notes I'm sorry, but like I have no time to waste😂 again, so sorry.

Anyways!!! Honestly, I wouldn't want to be in any of the character's shoes right now. Literally none of them. 😂😂🤦🏽‍♀️

See you guys!!😈😈